Initially we avoided sunflower seeds due to the high probability that they would be cross contaminated by packaging or something in a facility with nuts. However a few years after being diagnosed with peanut allergy, we had a blood test done and he tested positive for sunflower. Prior to this he ate things that contained sunflower oil without a problem. I tend to avoid things with sunflower oil, but it is listed on a lot of snack foods. He tends to not like though foods so much, but doesn't have a reaction to them.

When we first found out about dd PA/TNA and until we had her scratch tests done we avoided all sunflower seeds/products. However when they did her scratch tests they did test for seseame and sunflower and she tested negative to both. So we are doing both again with no problems.
Have you had scratch tests or RSAT for these yet? They might be a consideration.

My PA son isn't allergic to sunflower seeds but I did raise a question here a couple of years ago about whether anyone else was *weird* about seeds like I am. To make matters more confusing, for me only, sometimes I'm worried about sunflower seeds, poppy seeds and sesame seeds and other times I'm not. As if that made any sense. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img]

I used to make a wonderful vegetarian casserole which had sunflower seeds in it. My PA son has even eaten it, but before his first anaphylactic reaction (that was at the age of 2-1/2). He is now just 8 and I haven't bought sunflower seeds to cook with since.

Mostly because all of the pre-packaged sunflower seeds do say "may contain" on them here in Canada.

However, they are what I consider the *best* seeds to use for bird feeders and this has not stopped us from feeding the birds. I make sure that I buy my seed from a farm that only produces sunflower seeds if I can. If I buy some in the store, on the rare occasion where my son might want to help fill the birdfeeder, I do make sure that he comes in and washes his hands immediately (something you *should* do after filling a bird feeder anyway).

With oil, even if it says sunflower oil on the bottle, be sure to check for any labeling that may say "may contain".

I have actually found store brand Canola oil which said "may contain trace peanuts" even though it boldly read Canola Oil on the front.

As far as cooking, I'd love to say I use olive oil all of the time (after reading the label), but I do feel comfortable with simple vegetable oil (I have Unico right now) as long as I've checked for a "may contain" warning.

Hope this helps somehow. So, my son doesn't eat them but is allowed to place them in a bird feeder.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

I have read that PA kids should avoid sunflower seeds as well. Interesting that you should mention the sunflower oil, as I was wondering this myself. A parent brought in Cheetos today thinking they were a safe food (Cheese Doodles are definitely safe), and sunflower oil was listed and I wouldn't allow it in my son's class. My son is also allergic to sesame seeds as well as peanuts, so for me I would rather have him avoid sunflower seeds and oil, but don't know if this is really necessary.

My son is allergic to sunflower seeds and poppy seeds as well. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]

An adult w/ peanut/tree nut allergies told me the other day that while eating some sunflower seeds he found an almond or cashew in them. He then threw away the whole batch. So they obviously can be processed on the same equipment as someone above mentioned.

We tried them durring a brave period. I was desperately looking for a source of protien for dd. Both pa kids got itchy throats. I think benedryl stopped the react. My theory is the body reacted to the seeds because the protein is similar to nuts. What do the rest of you think? They were raw, organic.

When I took my son for his annual allergy appointment in Feb of this year, I had the doctor test him for all seeds as well, and he is highly allergic to sunflower seeds as well as peanuts, shellfish and cashews.

I never had them in my house since I am a paranoid mother when it comes to his PA, but now at least I know for sure.